scholarly journals Transformative research: personal and societal

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Mertens
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Personal Transformation ◽  
Transformative Research ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Societal Level ◽  
Discrimination And Oppression ◽  
Self Examination

Abstract Transformative researchers have the potential to contribute to both personal and societal transformation. In this article, I argue that the two are intertwined and that personal transformation is a necessary component of research that is designed to support change at the societal level in the form of furthering human rights and social justice. I describe a transformative framework that examines assumptions related to ethics, the nature of reality, epistemology, and methodology that can guide researchers who choose to address both the personal and societal levels of transformation. Ethically, researchers need to examine who they are and who they are in relation to the community in which they are working. This process goes beyond self-examination to a critical analysis of the cultural blinders that might obscure our ability to contribute to positive impacts. I put forth the hypothesis that if we design our research so that it explicitly addresses issues of discrimination and oppression that the probability of personal and social transformation increases.

Performance of Possibilities: A Critical Analysis of Audience Responses to Pipaashaa by Ananya Dance Theatre

2008 ◽  
Vol 40 (S1) ◽  
pp. 225-236
Author(s):  
Hui Niu Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Racial Politics ◽  
Girls Of Color ◽  
Dance Theater ◽  
Audience Responses ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Critical Discourses

This paper critically analyzes audience responses to Ananya Dance Theatre's work Pipaashaa: Extreme Thirst. Ananya Dance Theater intervenes in colorblind racial politics through casting only women and girls of color. Different responses by audiences of different social locations constitute critical discourses about race and social justice—catalysts for personal and social transformation. An examination of the discourse around Pipaashaa demonstrates that materiality of both performing and viewing bodies are important factors in creating meaningful art that envisions and inspires change.

scholarly journals Integrating Pathways

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Mertens
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Policy Analysis ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Transformative Research

Transformative research is rooted in the axiological assumption that priority be given to the furtherance of human rights and the pursuit of social justice (Mertens, 2009; 2010; Mertens, Holmes, & Harris, 2009). This belief provides a basis for subsequent decision making about methodology. Planning for utilization of findings to influence health and social policy is essential during the initial stages of research design, as well as throughout the course of the study in order to improve the probability that data are gathered and disseminated in a way that they can be used to achieve the goals of social change and social justice. Transformative researchers can use policy analysis and advocacy as avenues to social change. This paper focuses on the value of putting research side-by-side with policy making to integrate their pathways in the pursuit of social justice.

scholarly journals An Assessment on the Constitution of Nepal 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 46-60
Author(s):  
Dilli Raj Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Proportional Representation ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Cultural Rights ◽  
The People ◽  
Content Analysis Method

This paper aims to critically examine the major features, strengths and weaknesses of the present constitution of Nepal (2015) applying the fundamental instruments of constitutionalism as a measuring rod. The Constitutional discourse of Nepal moved through seven Constitutions so far. It can be better linked to a laboratory of constitutional experiments of the constitutions of 1948, 1951, 1959, 1962, 1990, 2007, and 2015. The present constitution of Nepal (2015) was promulgated with the motive of political and social transformation strengthening democracy, human rights, ensuring equality, liberties and social justice to the people. In order to explore the features, strengths and weaknesses of the constitutions available texts and other materials on the constitution were collected first and then the content analysis method was followed to explore the major features, strengths and weaknesses of the constitution. Based on the analysis, dynamism and flexibility, comprehensive catalogue of fundamental rights and inclusiveness and proportional representation were found as the major features. Incorporation of adequate economic, social and cultural rights including group rights empowerment of women and minorities inclusiveness and proportional representation are the major attributes of the present constitution. In spite of popular acceptance of the people's verdict and wider inclusion of progressive arrangement the constitution still conceives some weaknesses on vague and clumsiness of preamble, disparity on citizenship issues and constituency delineations, enlistment of ambitious and unenforceable rights and composition of politically shadowed judiciary.

scholarly journals Inclusive Education for Transhumance Groups in Himalayas: Educational Policy Challenge for Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 26-29
Author(s):  
Shrestha Basnet ◽  
Mahesh Banskota
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Educational Policy ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Educational Development ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Policy Challenge

Nepal’s education policy documents lack a focus as they try to incorporate several issues like modernization and economic growth, to social transformation, social justice, inclusion, equality, social development, human rights etc. This lack of focus has been aggravated by the pathological approach by the international actors through ‘multiple diagnoses’ and ‘multiple prescriptions’. This paper discusses major challenges the educational development stakeholders face in this multiethnic and geographically diverse country where the issue of the inclusion is prominent. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jer.v2i0.7619 Journal of Education and Research Vol. 2, 2010 p.26-29

APA efforts in promoting human rights and social justice.

2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 778-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick T. L. Leong ◽  
Wade E. Pickren ◽  
Melba J. T. Vasquez
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Justice

Les héritages chrétiens: quel avenir?

Moreana ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (Number 176) (1) ◽  
pp. 175-190
Author(s):  
Bernard Bourdin
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
The Past ◽  
Religious Significance ◽  
Politics And Religion

The legacy from Christianity unquestionably lies at the root of Europe, even if not exclusively. It has taken many aspects from the Middle Ages to modern times. If the Christian heritage is diversely understood and accepted within the European Union, the reason is essentially due to its political and religious significance. However, its impact in politics and religion has often been far from negative, if we will consider what secular societies have derived from Christianity: human rights, for example, and a religious affiliation which has been part and parcel of national identity. The Christian legacy has to be acknowledged through a critical analysis which does not deny the truth of the past but should support a European project built around common values.

RAISE IT UP!! Youth Arts and Awareness

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Thomas-Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Youth Engagement ◽  
Literary Arts ◽  
Systemic Oppression ◽  
Creative Self

RAISE IT UP! Youth Arts and Awareness (RIU) is an organization that promotes youth engagement, expression, and empowerment through the use of performance and literary arts and social justice activism. We envision a world where youth are fully recognized, valued, and supported as artist-activists and emerging thought leaders, working to create a world that is just, intersectional, and inclusive. Two fundamental tenets shape RIU’s policies, practices, and pedagogy. The first is that creative self-expression and culture making are powerful tools for personal and social transformation. The second is that social justice is truly possible only if and when we are willing to have transparent and authentic conversations about the oppression children experience at the hands of the adults in their lives. We are committed to amplifying youth voices and leadership and building cross-generational solidarity among people of all ages, particularly those impacted by marginalization. Though RIU is focused on and driven by the youth, a large part of our work includes helping adult family members, educators, and community leaders understand the ways in which systemic oppression shapes our perceptions of and interactions with the young people in our homes, neighborhoods, institutions, and decision-making bodies.

Towards an Archival Critique: Opening Possibilities for Addressing Neoliberalism in the Archival Field

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marika Cifor ◽  
Jamie A. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Archival Studies ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Political Practice ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Contemporary Life

Neoliberalism, as economic doctrine, as political practice, and even as a "governing rationality" of contemporary life and work, has been encroaching on the library and information studies (LIS) field for decades. The shift towards a conscious grappling with social justice and human rights debates and concerns in archival studies scholarship and practice since the 1990s opens the possibility for addressing neoliberalism and its elusive presence. Despite its far-reaching influence, neoliberalism has yet to be substantively addressed in archival discourse. In this article, we propose a set of questions for archival practitioners and scholars to reflect on and consider through their own hands-on practices, research, and productions with records, records creators, and distinct archival communities in order to develop an ongoing archival critique. The goal of this critique is to move towards "an ethical practice of community, as an important mode of participation." This article marks a starting point for critically engaging the archival studies discipline along with the LIS field more broadly by interrogating the discursive and material evidences and implications of neoliberalism.

Getting Real?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Goodhart
Keyword(s):  
Political Theory ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Political Analysis ◽  
Political Theories ◽  
The World ◽  
Political Norms

Chapter 3 engages with realist political theory throughcritical dialogues with leading realist theorists. It argues that realist political theories are much more susceptible to conservatism, distortion, and idealization than their proponents typically acknowledge. Realism is often not very realistic either in its descriptions of the world or in its political analysis. While realism enables the critical analysis of political norms (the analysis of power and unmasking of ideology), it cannot support substantive normative critique of existing social relations or enable prescriptive theorizing. These two types of critique must be integrated into a single theoretical framework to facilitate emancipatory social transformation.

Human Rights in a Neoliberal World

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Baer
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Transformation Model ◽  
Central Research ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Negative Effect

Chapter 2 presents the central research questions that drive the theoretical and empirical work of the book, outlines the “moments of social transformation” model used for analyzing human rights realization, and positions the book in relation to theoretical and contemporary policy debates. The chapter synthesizes the literatures on socioeconomic human rights fulfillment and the human right to water and sanitation. It introduces two key elements for implementing human rights: political will and state capacity, as well as some obstacles to rights realization, including lack of strong regulatory frameworks and accountability mechanisms. The chapter explores the tensions between markets and rights, finding that neoliberal approaches to water policy have a negative effect on rights fulfillment by weakening the state’s role, and it engages with critiques that the human rights frame is too narrow and vague to facilitate transformative change in the water sector.

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